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I don't know but sometimes it seems to me that some people here want the line to fail. I think the FFM are awesome (way cooler than any NA character) and I'm looking forward to receiving my two sets today. Yes they are expensive but to me personally they are well worth the money (as opposed to the SS). I get a feeling of nostalgia because of their connection to the vintage vehicles.
Some posts here and in the other thread about this month's sale make it sound as if it were a personal triumph for us if these don't sell well. The opposite is true, if these fail that's one more step to a sub-only model and to the end of the line.

I sort of disagree with that last line. I don't think this set specifically will push things any more towards a sub only model than things are already going anyway regardless of the FFM.

While I'm not 'super' excited about this set, myself, I do particularly like the blue skinned guy in the hood, and I do appreciate the nods to the vintage vehicles, so in that sense, this set is kind of cool to me, and I am looking more forward to it than the Star Sisters. So I kind of agree with you there.

I think the reason so many people seem to be rooting against it is to send a message to Mattel not to keep making expensive 3 packs like this.... particularly of obscure characters.

Part of what is frustrating about this is that if Scott and anyone else involved with this line were really paying attention last year when the Star Sisters came out, they would have seen just how unpopular that set really was. Yeah, the day of stock sold out quickly, and by their skewed standards it was a "success," with them even at one point using it as a basis for comparison to the lackluster Wind Raider sales (which was silly since most of the Star Sister sets were sold through subs).

But if they had been paying attention, they would have seen many of those sets being put up on ebay and either not selling at all, or being sold at prices MUCH lower than what the people initially paid for them. They would have seen Big Bad Toy Store being unable to move their stock, etc. And all of this within the first couple/few months of 2012.... many months before the 2013 subs went on sale, let alone before the FFM actually went into mass production.

While I know that they generally have to plan things out well in advance and can't make changes at the last minute, and they were trying to stick to the "road map" before making changes for what 2014 will be, they should have seen the writing on the wall here well in advance to be able to make changes to releasing this particular 3-pack.

After one expensive set of 3 obscure characters didn't go over to well, it should have been a no brainer that an even more expensive set (thanks to the price increases) of even more obscure characters based on vague artwork from some licensed out model kits wasn't going to fair much better... possibly worse.

While probably not the only reason, I'm sure this 3-pack was a big reason why the sub sales dropped as much as they did for 2013.

The reason why some people are rooting against this set is to send a message to Mattel not to keep making sets like this. And I can't blame them. Even though I do like certain things about the FFM set as I mentioned earlier, it's still by no means a "must have" item that I would have been upset over had it never been produced.

- - - Updated - - -

Originally Posted by Ridureyu

I love how it isn't just conspiracy theories, but it's all taken as total absolute fact. "The Fighting Foe-Men are selling out? MUST BE A CONSPIRACY!"

The FFM may genuinely be close to selling out, but if they are, it's likely because there wasn't that much day of stock to begin with.

And there have been previous cases of items being listed as "almost gone" and then "sold out," only for it later to come to light that Mattel was sitting on A LOT of left over stock of that item.... way more than what they just would have held back for potential customer service replacements.

Specifically, there was an instance a couple of years or so back where during a sale on Matty of older "left over" items (I think it was maybe around black friday or cyber monday), there briefly was a glitch on the site that revealed how many of each item they had in stock. Gygor, who had previously been released as a non sub item and had supposedly "sold out", had an ASTRONOMICAL amount of stock. There were others as well that had quite a bit, but I recall Gygor being one of the most extreme examples.

I sort of disagree with that last line. I don't think this set specifically will push things any more towards a sub only model than things are already going anyway regardless of the FFM.

While I'm not 'super' excited about this set, myself, I do particularly like the blue skinned guy in the hood, and I do appreciate the nods to the vintage vehicles, so in that sense, this set is kind of cool to me, and I am looking more forward to it than the Star Sisters. So I kind of agree with you there.

I think the reason so many people seem to be rooting against it is to send a message to Mattel not to keep making expensive 3 packs like this.... particularly of obscure characters.

Part of what is frustrating about this is that if Scott and anyone else involved with this line were really paying attention last year when the Star Sisters came out, they would have seen just how unpopular that set really was. Yeah, the day of stock sold out quickly, and by their skewed standards it was a "success," with them even at one point using it as a basis for comparison to the lackluster Wind Raider sales (which was silly since most of the Star Sister sets were sold through subs).

But if they had been paying attention, they would have seen many of those sets being put up on ebay and either not selling at all, or being sold at prices MUCH lower than what the people initially paid for them. They would have seen Big Bad Toy Store being unable to move their stock, etc. And all of this within the first couple/few months of 2012.... many months before the 2013 subs went on sale, let alone before the FFM actually went into mass production.

While I know that they generally have to plan things out well in advance and can't make changes at the last minute, and they were trying to stick to the "road map" before making changes for what 2014 will be, they should have seen the writing on the wall here well in advance to be able to make changes to releasing this particular 3-pack.

After one expensive set of 3 obscure characters didn't go over to well, it should have been a no brainer that an even more expensive set (thanks to the price increases) of even more obscure characters based on vague artwork from some licensed out model kits wasn't going to fair much better... possibly worse.

While probably not the only reason, I'm sure this 3-pack was a big reason why the sub sales dropped as much as they did for 2013.

The reason why some people are rooting against this set is to send a message to Mattel not to keep making sets like this. And I can't blame them. Even though I do like certain things about the FFM set as I mentioned earlier, it's still by no means a "must have" item that I would have been upset over had it never been produced.

I agree 100% with you here and I can also see where the people who complain are coming from. However, I don't see the point of complaining in this case. Scott has made it very clear that there will be no more 3-paks after the FFM. He even said that there were no more 3-paks planned on the original road map. The fact that the Rock Warriors are a 2-pak without Granita (which funnily enough made people complain that it is not a 3-pak ) kinda proves that he was not lying when he told us there would be no more 3-paks. Moreover, he has made it clear on countless occasions that 2014 and 2015 would consist of the remaining heavy hitters and fan favourites. No more obscure concept stuff.
So, to sum up, absolutely everything that people are trying to make a point about has already been addressed / solved. So what is the point of all that triumphant "Ha! the FFM don't sell well! That'll show'em!" talk?

It's really as if somebody suddenly started a threat saying "Why doesn't Mattel put the figures in white mailer boxes?" or "Why doesn't Mattel offer trackable shipping for international customers?".

I agree 100% with you here and I can also see where the people who complain are coming from. However, I don't see the point of complaining in this case. Scott has made it very clear that there will be no more 3-paks after the FFM. He even said that there were no more 3-paks planned on the original road map. The fact that the Rock Warriors are a 2-pak without Granita (which funnily enough made people complain that it is not a 3-pak ) kinda proves that he was not lying when he told us there would be no more 3-paks.

This raises an interesting point---^. Perhaps what should be said isn't that 3-packs don't work (because depending on the timing, etc., they sometimes do), it's that they don't work when they are characters people don't want in a 3-pack! Your point proves that people are willing to pay $75-80 (or more) for a 3-pack of characters like, say, the Rock People or even Horde Troopers, if they are in demand characters and make sense as part of a 3-pack. Admittedly SOME fans clamored for the FFF when everything was hypothetical and it was throw character choices at a wall and see what sticks- wish lists everywhere and so on- but when the reality hit that we were not only getting them but they'd be a 3-pack AND they'd be $75 at one shot... all of a sudden that line of collectors who wanted them so badly thinned to almost nobody. Anyway, point is, make in demand characters in a 2 or 3 pack (as is being proven with the Rock People) and they will come.

I agree 100% with you here and I can also see where the people who complain are coming from. However, I don't see the point of complaining in this case. Scott has made it very clear that there will be no more 3-paks after the FFM. He even said that there were no more 3-paks planned on the original road map. The fact that the Rock Warriors are a 2-pak without Granita (which funnily enough made people complain that it is not a 3-pak ) kinda proves that he was not lying when he told us there would be no more 3-paks. Moreover, he has made it clear on countless occasions that 2014 and 2015 would consist of the remaining heavy hitters and fan favourites. No more obscure concept stuff.
So, to sum up, absolutely everything that people are trying to make a point about has already been addressed / solved. So what is the point of all that triumphant "Ha! the FFM don't sell well! That'll show'em!" talk?

It's really as if somebody suddenly started a threat saying "Why doesn't Mattel put the figures in white mailer boxes?" or "Why doesn't Mattel offer trackable shipping for international customers?".

Understood, but Scott has said a LOT of things about the line and then changed his tune afterwards because he was back in a comfortable position. Most of us fans don't want the line to fail, but we also don't want to be forced into buying products just to keep it alive. NA has it's fans but they are not numerous enough to support the line. someone like me who didn't really get into NA couldn't care less if they were included in the line (from a personal standpoint) but I don't mind some of the figures we have. If Karrati was offered in the same month as Mantenna, it wouldn't be so bad, two villains, one that I REALLY want and it's not an expensive month. but to be locked into paying about $150 (incl shipping and duty) for four figures I don't care about having in one month, that is a major sting and it drives home a harsh reality about subbing.

Again I KIND OF LIKE the FFM, but after the map fiasco I had to make my own stand. DR IS gouging us international subscribers, or at least they are gouging Canadians, because there is NO way shipping rates go up that much per figure added. Shipping has never worked that way. I don't want the line to end, but I want Scott and Mattel to realize they are not doing right by the fans, don't sweet talk us when it's time to sub, don't punish those who can't sub and don't punish those who do.

Understood, but Scott has said a LOT of things about the line and then changed his tune afterwards because he was back in a comfortable position. Most of us fans don't want the line to fail, but we also don't want to be forced into buying products just to keep it alive. NA has it's fans but they are not numerous enough to support the line. someone like me who didn't really get into NA couldn't care less if they were included in the line (from a personal standpoint) but I don't mind some of the figures we have. If Karrati was offered in the same month as Mantenna, it wouldn't be so bad, two villains, one that I REALLY want and it's not an expensive month. but to be locked into paying about $150 (incl shipping and duty) for four figures I don't care about having in one month, that is a major sting and it drives home a harsh reality about subbing.

Again I KIND OF LIKE the FFM, but after the map fiasco I had to make my own stand. DR IS gouging us international subscribers, or at least they are gouging Canadians, because there is NO way shipping rates go up that much per figure added. Shipping has never worked that way. I don't want the line to end, but I want Scott and Mattel to realize they are not doing right by the fans, don't sweet talk us when it's time to sub, don't punish those who can't sub and don't punish those who do.

Just saying, the burden of proof is not on the people claiming that the FFM are nearly out of the stock allocated for yesterday's sale, but the burden of proof is on the people claiming that it's some sort of grand secret squirrel conspiracy.

This raises an interesting point---^. Perhaps what should be said isn't that 3-packs don't work (because depending on the timing, etc., they sometimes do), it's that they don't work when they are characters people don't want in a 3-pack! Your point proves that people are willing to pay $75-80 (or more) for a 3-pack of characters like, say, the Rock People or even Horde Troopers, if they are in demand characters and make sense as part of a 3-pack.

I agree that 3 packs could work if they were made up of figures that people actually want. I don't think there would be as much of a backlash against them if that were the case.

The cost is still a bit to swallow. One thing that gets me is the (IMO) pointlessly rigid categorization of the items released in the subs. There are 12 "standard monthly figures" and 4 quarterly "bonus items." The 12 figures have to be "monthly" (with the exception of production delays that can't be helped), and so long as Mattel has the control over it, they won't reschedule those for anything. So what this means is that they release a 3 pack like the FFM at the same time as a separate figure like Karatti.... then the following month they will release a single, individual figure. The popularity (or lack there of) of these characters aside, why can't they release just the 3-pack by itself so it's less of a hit, and then release 2 standard figures a month later?

Granted if they were to change to quarterly shipping as was voted on a little while back (which I would be okay with as it would save on shipping), more would get charged all at once on the occasions when things ship, but for now, under the current system where we are getting something pretty much every month (again with the exception of production delays), they could do more to even the monthly "hit" to the wallet a bit more by taking a common sense approach like this.

I believe there is a set number that once stock hits that number the website changes the status to almost gone. with admittedly lower DoS production PLUS them opening up the subs (strategically JUST before the release of the FFM) I can believe they hit that number.

I just got mine and I can honestly say i LOVE them. I wish Ditztroyer had on some armor instead of a painted Orange Chest. But oh well I still love them! If they weren't so much money I would have ordered another set to have extra bodies here for making more MOTU figures for my background characters.

I broke them up and put my extra 2 sets on ebay. Both of my Shield Maiden Sherrilynns went for a little over $25 and 1 of my Ditztroyers went for $25. Both of my Karattis, Dawg-O-Tors, and my other Ditztroyer are sitting as unsold. Not much love for these guys it seems like. I think the figures look pretty cool but I have to say I could've been fine without them. Don't really care about Karatti either but I'm a complete-ist so they'll go on my shelf anyway.

Guys, is it THAT hard to believe that you may be in the minority here and people like the FFM? What would be so wrong with that?

It's approximately as hard for us to to believe as it is for others to believe that they are not popular, the DoS numbers are really low, and that we will be seeing a lot of them from the Mad Matty sales.

We don't know either for sure. If they don't show up again, maybe you are right and the "vocal minority" has struck again. Or maybe they DoS numbers were really low. Maybe they will show up again-deeply discounted-and that proves they weren't as popular as some would claim they are.

What we DO know is that eBay has been flooded with FFM sets with BiN's lower (some up to 33% lower) than retail. If they were popular, people would be snapping them up at those prices.

It's approximately as hard for us to to believe as it is for others to believe that they are not popular, the DoS numbers are really low, and that we will be seeing a lot of them from the Mad Matty sales.

We don't know either for sure. If they don't show up again, maybe you are right and the "vocal minority" has struck again. Or maybe they DoS numbers were really low. Maybe they will show up again-deeply discounted-and that proves they weren't as popular as some would claim they are.

What we DO know is that eBay has been flooded with FFM sets with BiN's lower (some up to 33% lower) than retail. If they were popular, people would be snapping them up at those prices.

I doubt they're super popular, but I think they look pretty good (not the same thing, of course) but could use more shading. Good overall designs.

I'd guess that in the end these will have a similar popularity to figures like Demo Man & Vikor. Pretty cool looking, not essentials, not hated. No inflated prices like the core characters.

Since we arent getting anymore three packs, maybe they would offer a two pack, figure/beast set as the club exclusive. I would love for an Illumina and her cat 2 pack, that would be an awesome club incentive and I bet they would get higher numbers than the previous years for orders.

I'm happy to see Matty's day-of stock of the Fighting Foe Men sell out so quickly. I'm aware that the stock was likely not very high.

What saddens me, thuogh, is that Karatti is still out there with no "almost gone" in sight. He looks awesome and I really want more NA representation in Classics, and I fear this may be a bad indication of the fan base's interest in NA characters. I know that Netossa took a couple of days to sell out, too, though, so there's hope that Karatti won't last too much longer. I just don't want the Powers That Be decide to really back out of future NA figures.